Separator mechanism for ring-spinning frames



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SEPARATOR MECHANISM FOR RING SPINNING FRAMES. No. 505,501. PatentedSe 1;. 261893.

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7 0. WHITAKER. SEPABATOR MECHANISM FOR RINGSPINNING FRAMES.

Patented Sept. 26,1893,

INVENTOR.

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0. WHITAKER. SEPARATOR MEGHANISMTOR RING SPINNING FRAMES.

No., 505,501. Patented Sept. 26, 1 898.

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C. WHITAKER. SEPARATOR MECHANISM FOR RING SPINNING FRAMES. No. 505,501; Patented Sept. 26, 1893..

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11 Sheets-Sheet 5.

(No Model.)

0. WHITAKER, SEPARATOR MECHANISM FOR RING SPINNING FRAMES. No. 505,501.

Patented Sept. 26, 1893.

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SEPARATOR-MBGHANISMFOR RING SPINNING FRAMES. No. 505,501, Patented Sept. 26, 1898 'F'IG'.30. .-,-,-h *2? 4: A342 INvEN-rcm.

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G. WHITAKER. SEPARATOR MECHANISM FOR RING SPINNING FRAMES.

No. 505,501. Patented Sept. 26, 1893.

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Wrrmzsses. lNVENIOR (No Model.) 11 Sheets-Sheetlfl. C. WHITAKER. SEPARATOR MECHANISM FOR RING SPINNINGIRAMES. No. 505,501. Patentedsept. 26, 1893.

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SBPAR'ATOB MECHANISM FOR RING SPINNING "IE'BA'M1".= S No.'605,501. Patented, SepL'ZG; 1893.

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I UNIT D STATES PATENT OFFICE,

OHANNING WHITAKER, OF TYNGSBOROUGH, ASSIGNOR TO THE LOWELL MACHINE SHOP, OE LOWELL, MASSAOHUSETTS.

SEPARATOR MECHANISM FOR RING-SPINNING FRAMES.

$PECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 505,501, dated September 26, 1893.

Application filed April 24, 1893.

Serial No. 471,698. (No model.)

To a, whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHANNING WHITAKER, a citizen of the United States, residingat Tyngsborough, in the county of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Separator Mechanism for Ring-Spinning Frames, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

In ring-spinning frames at present in use various devices are employed adjacent to the spindles thereof for the purpose of restricting the ballooning of the yarns which are being spun andwound upon the spindles, and also for preventing the yarns of the adjacent spindles from interfering with one another. In the case of some of the earlier applications of such devices coring-spinning frames, the separators were rigidly attached to the ringrail between the rings, or were elsewhere similarly mounted in positions closely adjacent to the spindles. This proved inconvenient and disadvantageous, for it rendered difficultthe cleaning of the ring-rail and rings, promoted the accumulation of fly and dirt, and interfered with the doffing of the bobbins or cops from the spindles. Afterward, the separators were applied to a horizontal rail, shaft, or rod, pivotally mounted in bearings projecting from the rear side of the ring-rail, and capable of being turned in such bearings to throw the separators upward and backward away from the spindles and the upper surface of the ring-rail. This obviated some of the disadvantages of the arrangement just mentioned, but still, as also occurred in the case of p the latter, the weight of the parts which were added to and carried by the ringrail tended to bend or spring the latter and otherwise to interfere with the satisfactory operation of the machine. Later, by mounting the horizontal separator-rail, shaft, or rod, in bearings carried by the machineframing, the ring-rail has been in part relieved of the strain thus imposed upon it, the separators being caused to project across the ring-rail as previously, and being struck by the latter in its upward movement so as to be caused to rock vertically during the continued rise of the said rail, the weight of the separators operating to return them to their original position during the descent of the ring-rail. While this arrangement has proved in practice to be superior to the earlier ones, it still causes the weight of the separators, or a part thereof when a counterbalancing weight is applied to the separator-rail, shaft, or rod, to be imposed upon and sustained by the ring-rail at certain times in the movement of the latter, and otherwise is found to fail to answer completely practical requirements. sequent improvements of considerable merit have been devised, the principal ones having as their main objects to sustain the se'parators and actuate them by suitable operative connections without any strain or weight being imposed upon the ring-rail. The best, ac cording to my opinion, among these improved separator-mechanisms, are those of theclass in which the horizontal shaft, rod,or rail carrying the separators is supported at the upper ends of vertical rods, known as separatorrods, having vertical movements transmitted to them from the cross-shaft arms which actuate the lifting-rods for the ring-rail, the separator-rail and ring-rail being thereby caused to move in unison, but the traverse of the separator-rail being of less extent than that of the ring-rail.

My invention is designed as an improvement upon separator m eohanisms of this class, and has for its main object to provide a separator mechanism'which shall be durable, respond to all the requirements of practical use, be of the simplest possible character and con struction, consume the least possible amount of power, exert the least possible stress upon those parts of the ring frame from which the necessary motion is derived, and permitthe use of the widest separator-blade which can be received between the top of the ring-rail and the bottom of the thread-guide.

Other objects of my invention are to provide guiding and directing devices of novel and improved character for determining the path of movement of the separator-rail; to render it unnecessary to make anyvertical change or shift of the traverse of the separator-rail and separators such as heretofore it has been found necessary to make in the case of sepa rator-mechanisms of this class in order Various subto compensate for changes in the length of the traverse of the ring-rail; and to provide simple and practical means for mounting the separator-rail in a manner which not only will enable the separators to be moved or turned away from between the spindles when desired, but will permit the separator-rail to be taken from its movable supports at any time, and removed from the machine, without it being necessary first to turn the separators into their inoperative position in order to unlock the rail from the supports.

Further objects of the invention will be developed in the course of the following description.

My invention consists in certain novel, useful, and improved combinations of parts, and features of construction and arrangement, all as will be clearly indicated hereinafter, and it first will be fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and then will be particularly pointed out and clearly defined in the claims which are appended at the close of this specification and which form a part hereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a View in front elevation of a ring -frame having applied thereto an embodiment of my invention in its most complete form. Fig. 2 is a view in transverse section on the dotted line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3, Sheet 2, is a view in front elevation showing certain of the parts of a ringframe,with a simplified construction of mechanism applied thereto. Fig. 4, Sheet 2, is a view in vertical transverse section on the dotted line 44 in Fig. 3. Fig. 5, Sheet 2, is a view in plan, parts being broken away and in section, of portion of a cross-shaft, its arm, and portions of the lifting-rod and vibratilev connecting-rod hereinafter described. Fig. 6, Sheet 2, is a view in vertical section on the dotted line 66 in Fig. 3. Fig. 7, Sheet 3, is a view in vertical section on the line 7+7 in Fig. 8. Fig. 8, Sheet 3, is a detail view in rear elevation showing part of a cross-shaft arm, the vibratile connecting-rod actuated thereby, the guide for the said rod, the stand carrying said guide, the supports for said stand, and part of a separator-rail. Fig. 9, Sheet 10, is a view in plan of the said guide. Fig. 10, Sheet 10, is a view in vertical section on the line 1010 of Fig. 9, it showing part of the stand. Fig. 11, Sheet 10, is a view in side elevation of the parts that are represented in Fig. 9. Fig. 12, Sheet 10, is aview in plan of the upper end of the separator-stand. Fig. 13, Sheet 3, is a view in elevation illustrating a modified stand and guide. Fig. 14, Sheet 3, is a View in'plan of the parts shown in Fig. 13, with the exception of the vibratile connecting-rod, which is in horizontal section. Fig. 15, Sheet 3, is a view in vertical section on line 15 of Fig. 14. Figs. 16 and 17, Sheet 3, are views in vertical section showing modified forms of guide. Figs. 18, 18 and '18, Sheet 4, are views illustrating a still further modification in the manner of supporting the guide. Figs. 19 to 34, inclusive, Sheets 5, 6 and 7, are views, of character hereinafter set forth, showing modifications hereinafter described. Fig. 35, Sheet 8, is a view in vertical section on line -35 of Fig. 1. Figs. 35, 35 35 and 35 Sheet 8, show details hereinafter described. Fig. 36, Sheet 8, is a view in vertical section on line 36-36 of Fig. 1. Figs. 36, 36", and 37 to 44, inclusive, Sheets 5 and 6, are views, of character hereinafter specified, showing modifications hereinafter described. Figs. to 48, inclusive, Sheet 9, are views showing the manner of supporting the cross-shafts. Figs. 49 to 59, inclusive, Sheet 10, are views of character hereinafter specified illustrating the details of the means whereby the separator-rails are sup ported by the upper ends of the vibratile connecting-rods. Figs. and 61, Sheet 3, are views illustrating a modified form of the pivotal connection between the C1 oss-shaft arm and the vibratile connecting-rod. Fig. 62, Sheet 3, represents a modification of the parts shown in Figs. 60 and 61. Fig. 63, Sheet 11, is a'diagram, hereinafter referred to.

In Figs. 1 to 4, 1, 1, are the roller-beams, 2, 2, the thread-boards hinged thereto, as usual, 3, 3, the finger-boards hinged as usual to the thread-boards, 4, 4, the yarn-guides secured to the finger-boards, 5, 5, the yarns passing from the yarn-guides 4, 4, to the bobbins 6, 6, through the travelers 7, 7, on the rings 8, 8, supported by the ring-rails 9, 9. 10, 10, are the spindles on which the bobbins are mounted, 11, 11, the spindle-rails, 12, 12, the lower or guide-rails, 13,13, the lifting-rods for the ring-rails, and 14, 14, the shoes at the lower ends of the said rods. 15 (see particularly Figs. 5 and 6) is the stud upon which, or upon the roller 151 carried thereby, the undersurface of each of the said shoes rests, and 152 is the fiat-headed screw which holds the roller in place upon the stud 15 when the said roller is employed, the threaded part ofthe said screw being caused to enter a threaded hole in the end of the stud. 16, 16, are the crossshaft arms by which the studs 15, or studs 15 and rollers 151, are carried, and 17 is the transverse slot in the free end of each of the said arms in which the corresponding stud is mounted adjustably. 171 is a collar on each stud which takes bearing against one side of the cross-shaft arm 16 to which the same is applied. 172 is a nut on the threaded end of the stud on the side opposite to that on which the collar 171 is located, and 173 is a washer which is placed between the said nut and the adjacent side of the arm. 18, 18, are the cross-shafts provided with the said arms 16, 16, and 19, 19, are the brackets containing the bearings for the cross-shafts, the crossshafts being caused to rock by well-known means for the purpose of moving the ringrails up and down; At 20 are shown the separators.

All of the foregoing parts may be of any usual or preferred construction.

At 21, 21, are shown the separator-rails on which the separators are mounted. For the sake of lightness, I preferably make the separator-rails 21 tubular or hollow.

Heretofore, in constructions of separatormechanisms of the class on which the present invention is an improvement, the horizontal separator-rail has been attached to or mounted in bearings upon the tops" of vertical separator-rods, and it has been the practice to mount the separator-rods, for the purpose of defining their path of movement, and that of the separator-rail and separators. in an upright position in fixed guides, by which latter they are compelled to move strictly in a straight line in a vertical direction and are prevented from deviating or vibrating laterally, as otherwise they might be caused to do by the action of the swinging cross -shaft arms from which they are operated, inasmuch as the said arms swing through arcs of movement having horizontal components, as will be understood from an inspection of Fig. 63. Frequently, in consequence of the fact that the arcs of movement of the said cross-shaft arms have each a horizontal component as just mentioned, it has been deemed necessary or expedient, particularly in some constructions wherein the actuating connections between the cross-shaft arms and the separatorrods are offset laterally with respect to the axes of the separator-rods, to employ special provisions for preventing the separator-rods from being caused to twist or turn upon their vertical axes within the guides as the crossshaft arms rise and fall through their said arcs of movement. The said horizontal component, moreover, necessitates making the engagement or connection of the cross-shaft arms with the guided upright separator-rods in some special manner or by some special means which will not interfere with the horizontal movement of the actuating parts of the cross-shaft arms relatively to the separator-rods.

A prominent and characteristic feature of my improved separator-mechanisu1 as hereinafter described is that it contains no separator-rods or slide-rods held by fixed guides in a definite vertical position and prevented thereby from lateral movement or vibration. Instead of employing such separator-rods or guides, I employ vibratile rods on the order of simple connecting-rods or pitmen, each of which at its upperend is formed or provided with a bearing that suitably receives the journal of the corresponding separator-rail, while at its lower end each rod is connected or engaged with the corresponding cross-shaft arm, the rod being free to swing or vibrate laterally in a vertical plane which is parallel with the vertical plane in which the cross-shaft arm moves, as the said cross-shaft arm swings up and down through its arc of movement in actuating the ring-rail.

In combination with the vibratile connecting-rods I use directive devices or guides of simple construction for holding the separatorrail to its proper path of movement, as it rises and falls in unison with the ring-rail.

As clearly will be made to appear presently, I simplify greatly the construction of the separator-mechanism. The employment of the kind of guides heretofore in use, and the fitting and adjusting of such guides are avoided. nexpensive forms of guides or directive dewices are used. More direct and much simpler connections with the crossshaft arms may be made than heretofore, and, inasmuch as the vibratile connecting-rods have no tendency to twist or turn on their vertical axes, the employment of provisions to prevent such twisting or turning is unnecessary, and is dispensed with.

The vibratile supporting and connectingrods aforesaid are shown at 22 in various figures of the drawings. They are formed or provided at their upper ends with bearings 221 for the reception of the journals or pivots of the separator-rails, (see Figs. 49 to 52,

inclusive, M and 56,) and at their lower ends are pivotally engaged or connected with the cross-shaft arms 16, 16.

In Figs. 3, 4, and 8, I have shown, in combination with certain of the parts at one side of a ring-spinning frame, a preferred simple embodiment of the vibratile'supporting and connecting-rods and the directive device or guide for determining the path of movement of the separator-rail as it rises and falls. In these figures the rod 22 is formed at its lower end with an eye 23 which is entered by a, stud or pin 24, formed or otherwise provided on the side of; the cross-shaft arm 16, see Fig. 7, the said eye being kept on the said stud or pin by means of a split pin 25 which is passed through the end of the stud or pin 24 outside of theeye 23. The stud or pin 24 is located at a point intermediate the axis on which the cross-shaft 18 turns and the point at which motion is transmitted to the lifting-rod 13. Through the described pivotal connection of the vibratile rod 22 with the cross-shaft arm 16, motion is communicated from the said arm to the rod, and to the separator-rail and separators sustained thereby. In consequence of connecting the rod 22 with the cross-shaft arm 16 ata point between the axis on which the arm rocks and the point on the arm at which motion is communicated tothe lifting-rod 13, the movement communicated to the rod 22,separator-rail, and separators, while occasioned simultaneously with that communicated to the lifting-rod, ring-rail and rings, is less in extent than the latter movement, and thus the extent of the traverse of the separator-rail and separators is made less than that of the ring-rail and rings. The bearing 221 provided at theupper end of rod 22 for the reception of the journal or pivot of the separator-rail 21 is formed as an open or half hearing in which the said journal or pivot rests and in which the said journal or pivot is held by the gravity of the separator-rail and the ICO parts carried thereby. It is intended that the rod 22 shall be left capable of swinging laterally without obstruction as its lower end passes from one point to another of the arc in which the stud orpin 24 travels in the rise and fall of the cross-shaft arm 16. See Fig. 63. All that I contemplate employing in the shape of a guide in connection with the vibratile rod 22, or with the separator-rail 21,is a directive device or devices for one or both of them which shall hold the separator-rail and its separators to a proper path of movement as they rise and fall, and without in terference with the lateral vibration of the rod 22.

In Figs. 3, 4, and 8, I use merely a stationary eye or steadier-guide 26, in the shape of a ring or short hearing, which surrounds the rod 22 at a point that is located as near to the separator-rail as'is convenient and practicable in view of the traversing movement which is communicated to the separator-rail. This eye or guide 26 is employed simply for the purpose of preventing the separator-rail and separator from falling toward the front, rear, or either end of the ring-spinning frame. It is located at the upper end of a stand 27, which latter may be secured to any suitable part or parts of the machine framing. Preferably the said stand is held to the rails 11 and 12 by screws 28, 28, passing through vertically elongated slots 29, 29, in the stand and into the said rails. The form and construction of the stand 27 are shown most clearly in Fig. 8. The object of the slots 29, 29, is to permit the stand and guide to be adjusted vertically as occasion may require, as, forinstance, when the rails 11 and 12 have been adjusted higher or lower in the frame to provide for changes in the length of the bobbins 6. As above indicated,the guide 26 is placed as near to the separator-rail as is practicable in view of the vertical traverse movement which is communicated to the separator-rail. Between the said guide and the point at which the vibratile rod 22 is connected to the crossshaft arm 16 there is nothing to interfere with the lateral vibrations of the rod 22 which will occur as the cross-shaft arm swings in a vertical plane. By preference, the hole 30 in the guide 26 through which the rod 22 passes, see Fig. 10, Sheet 10, and Fig. 15, Sheet 3, is made of substantially the same diameter as the said rod at the top of the hole, but just enough larger to permit the rod to slide therein freely, and of a slightly greater diameter at the bottom than at the top, or, in other words, slightly flaring toward the bottom, so as to permit free oscillation or vibration of the rod to the necessary extent about the center of the hole at the top of the box. flare, or difference between the diameter of the hole 30 at its top and the diameter of the said hole at its bottom is shown exaggerated in Figs. 10 and 15. Inasmuch as the rod 22 is long, the vibratory movement of the said rod at the point where it passes through the The guide 26 is so slight that the diameter ofthe hole 30 in the latter does not need to be very much larger at the bottom thereof than it is at the top thereof. Sometimes I make the smallest part 301 of the hole 30 at a short dis- .tance below the top of the hole, as indicated in Fig. 16, Sheet 3, and sometimes I may omit altogether to taper the hole and may make it cylindri'izal, as in Fig. 17, Sheet 3.

To facilitate the application of the rod 22 to the guide 26, and the removal of the said rod therefrom, the guide preferably is made of a two-part separable construction as represented in Figs. 8 to 15. In these figures, the cap 261 is secured to the main or other portion 262 of the guide by screws 263,263. The guide 26 may be connected with the stand 27 by forming the entire guide, when it is not split or divided, integral with the stand, or, by forming the main portion or body of the two-part guide integral with the stand in the manner indicated in Figs. 13, 14, and 15, Sheet 3. Preferably, however, the guide is made separate from the stand and secured thereto by suitable means. This enables me to provide for adjusting the said guide horizontally upon the said stand in a manner which will bring the separator-rail and the separators into exactly the position which they should occupy relatively to the spindles and other adjacent parts. Such a construction is represented in' Figs. 8 to 12. These figures show the top of the stand formed with a fiat horizontal surface 271, and with lateral lugs 272, 272, through which are made vertical holes 273, 273. The guide 26 is placed on the said surface 271, it being formed with lateral lugs 264, 264, through which are made vertical holes 265, 265. Through the holes 273,265, are passed bolts 274, 274, which receive on their threaded ends nuts 275, 275. By means of the said bolts and nuts the guide is held to the stand. The holes 273, 265, are larger in diameter than the diameter of the bolts- 274, 274, and hence when the nuts are turned so as to loosen the parts the guide may be adjusted universally in a horizontal plane. As will be understood, adjustment horizontally of the guide will carry with the latter the upper end of the rod 22, and therefore will adjust the separator-rail and separators so as to cause them to occupy the desired positions during their working.

In Figs. 18, 18, and 18, Sheet 4, I have shown another means of supporting the directive guide, 26, in suitable position, and with capacity for being given any vertical or horizontal adjustment which may be required for the purpose of bringing it into the proper and desired position. Fig. 18 is a view in front elevation showing the guide, 26, and its supporting stand, and portions of the framework of the ring-frame. Fig. 18 is a view showing the guide and stand in side elevation, and the said portions of the frame-work in vertical section. Fig. 18 is a view in section on the dotted line 18"18 of Fig. 18 In these fig- IIO ures the guide is shown as being carried by the stand 2711, the lower part of which has a vertical flange or foot, 2712, provided with a vertical slot, 2713, through which passes a bolt, 2714, which secures it to the rear side of the spindle-rail. The slot, 2713, permits the spindle-rail to be adjusted up and down, as the lengths of the bobbins to be used in the ringframe may require, without the position of the stand being interfered with. The body of said stand is-curved at the lower part thereof so as to throw the upper portion of the said stand rearwardly, and cause it to occupy, when in place, a position beneath the roller-beam 1. The upper end of the stand is connected with the vertical flange of the roller beam, 1, by a bolt, 2715, passing through the said vertical flange and the said upper end, and receiving on its threaded end a nut, 2716. To the body of the stand is applied, at a suitable height thereon, the horizontally projecting bracket, 2717, the same being shaped, as shown, atits rear end. to fit upon and between the side portions of the open portion of the said body, and being held to the said body by means of a bolt, 2718, passing through a vertical part of the bracket, and also through a retaining plate, 2728, which is similarly fitted to the rear side of the body portion, the said bolt having fitted upon its threaded end the nut, 2719. The open construction of the body of the stand, and the securing means described,

enable the bracket to be adjusted vertically as may be required, either in setting up and fitting together the parts, or in adapting them to the requirements of practical use. The forward part of the bracket is provided with a ledge on which the guide is fitted with capacity for adjustment in a horizontal plane.

The form and construction of the guide, and the manner of applying and securing it to the bracket, are, or may be, substantially as shown in Figs. 9 to 12, and hereinbefore described.

To prevent the separator-rail from moving endwise through the bearings 221, 221, on the rods 22, 22, in the construction which is represented'in Figs. 3, 4c, and 8, I form or provide shoulders or collars 211, 212, Fig. 8, on the separator-rail to come in contact with the bearing portions, 221, at the upper ends of rods 22, 22, on opposite sides of the said heat ings. Such shoulders or collars may be lo cated on both sides of a single bearing for each separator-rail, or on opposite sides of each of two or more of the bearings for the same separator-rail, as will be obvious, or one of the same may be located at one side of one bearing for the rail and another at the opposite side of another bearing therefor, as will be obvious without further explanation.

In Fig. 8, the collars 211, 212, are slipped onthe separator-rail 21, and clamped in proper position thereon by screws 213, 213. Collar 212, in Fig. 8, is constituted by thehub of one of the separators 20. By preference, the bearing 221 is made, at mid-length, as at 232, Fig. 51, Sheet 10, a trifle higher than it is at each side of the middle, thus producing a slightly raised ridge on which the separatorrail journal or pivot bears, and which ridge accommodates the vibratory movement of the rod 22.

In Fig. 51, the height of the ridge is exaggerated in order that it may be more certain to attract the attention of the reader to the drawing. However, this ridge is not an indispensable feature of my invention, inasmuch as the oscillation of the upper end of the separator-rod is very slight, and this feature may be omitted,when desired.

During the working of the ring-spinning frame, the operation of the described mechanism is as followsz-When the cross-shaft arm swings up and down through its path of motion, the pivotal connection of the rod 22 therewith will cause the said rod, and the separator-rail and separators, to move up and down, simultaneously with the lifting-rod, ring-rail, and rings, but at a lower rate of speed than the latter and through a traverse of less extent. In consequence of having the lower end of the rod 22 pivoted to the crossshaftarm, the axis of such rod will not remain in one and the same vertical line as the rod moves up and down. The center of the eye at the lower end of the rod will move in the arc of a circle about the axis of the cross-shaft arm, and, this movement having a horizontal component, as is indicated in Fig. 63, the rod will oscillate, or swing back and forth laterally, in a vertical plane parallel with that in which the cross-shaft arm swings. Within the guide 26, the axes of the guide and of the rod will be caused to remain substantially coincident, so that the longitudinal axis of the rod, in the lateral oscillation of the rod, will swing through a slight angle about a horizontal axis passing through the centerof the hole at the height at which the exterior of the rod takes bearing on the interior of the guide in the oscillation or vibration of the rod. The guide 26 will be adjusted laterally to such a position that when the separatorblades are in their lowest position, at which time they require to be located most precisely between the spindles, the planes passing vertically through the separator-blades at the middle of the thickness of each blade will be located midway between the axes of the spindles. With this adjustment secured, as the separator-blades pass to the upper portion of their traversethesaid middle planes of the separator-blades will become shifted very slightly to one side of positions midway between the axes of the spindles. This results from the horizontal component of the movement of the stud or pin 24, as the cross-shaft arm 16 rises and lifts the connecting-rod, the separatorrail, and the separators. However, inasmuch as the portion of the rod that is below the line of bearing in the guide 26, see line 90-11 of Fig. 63, is many times the length of the portion that is above the said line, the lateral move- IOC ment of the upper end of the rod 22, and the resulting departure or deviation of the middle planes of the separator-blades from positions midway between the axes of the spindles, become too slight to be of any practical importance, particularly since this departure or deviation, which in practice I have found not to exceed one twenty-fifth of an inch in a properly proportioned and adjusted mechanism, is greatest when the separator-blades are near the upper portion of their traverse, at which time the ballooning is too slight to make it necessary that separators shall be used.

The directive means, whereby the separator-rail is kept in place and its path of motion determined, may be constructed and applied in various Ways different from that which has been presented hereinbefore.

Fig. 19, Sheet 5, is a view, partly in horizontal section on the plane indicated by the dotted line 1919 in Fig. 20, of a modification in which each of the ends of the separator-rail enters between the ribs 31, 31, on a plate 311 that is shown most clearly in Fig. 20, which latter is a view in vertical section on line 2020 of Fig. 19. The plates 311 are secured to suitable portions 441, 441, of the machine-framing by bolts 313, 313, that pass through lugs 314, 314, on the said plates,and also through the portions 441, 441, of the machine-framing, and receive nuts 315, 315, on their threaded ends outside the said portions 441, 441, of the machine-framing. The ribs '31, 31, keep the separator-rail from falling backward or forward in the machine, and the contact of the extreme ends of the separator-rail with the vertical faces of the plates between the ribs prevents the separator-rail 'from shifting endwise.

In Fig. 21 I have shown in end elevation, and in Fig. 22 in side elevation with a rollerbeam in vertical section, a modification in which a vertically-slotted bracket 32 is attached to the roller-beam 1 at an intermediate point in the length of the latter by bolts 321, 321, passing through lateral ears 322, 322,

On the bracket and also through the vertical flange of the roller-beam, the said bolts receiving nuts 324, 324, on the threaded ends thereof at the rear of the said vertical flange. The slot 323 in the said bracket is open at the top to permit the separator-rail 21 to be dropped into the slot from above. The front and rear walls of the slot prevent the separator-rail from moving toward the front or the rear in the ring-frame, and the separatorrail is prevented from moving endwise by means of the collars 325, 325, that are mounted thereon on opposite sides of the bracket 32 and are held in place thereon by clamping screws 326, 326, which pass through the collars and take hearing by their ends against the surface of the separator-rail. In Fig. 23, which is a view corresponding in character with Fig. 22, a somewhat similar bracket 33 is shown in side elevation, it having the slot open at the lower end of the bracket so as it) necessitate the introduction of the separator rail into the said slot from below. Along the front of the roller-beam a sufficient number of the brackets shown in Figs. 21 to 23 will be employed to guard against horizontal springing or vibration of the separator-rail. The collars on the separator-rail, however, actually need be used in connection with one, only, of the said brackets, for this will be sufficient to keep the separator rail from moving endwise.

Figs. 24 and 25 are, respectively, a front elevation and a partly sectional side elevation, showing a bracket 34 held to the rollerbeam 1 by bolts 341, 341, and nuts 342, 342, the said bracket having a forwardly projecting arm 343 from which depends a vertical guide-rod 344. On this guide-rod 344 fits a sliding collar 345 that is connected with the separator-rail 21. The guide-rod 344 and collar 345 constitute the only directive means necessary to be employed for the purpose of holding the separator-rail to its proper path of movement.

Fig. 24 is a plan of the device represented in elevation in Figs. 24 and 25, and Fig. 24 is a sectional plan taken at the line 24 24", of Fig. 24.

Figs. 26 and 27 are views similar to Figs. 24 and 25 in character, showing a similar vertical guide-rod 35 projecting upwardly from a horizontal arm 351 on a bracket 352 that is held by bolts 353 to a stationary rail, the rail shown in the said figures being the spindlerail 11. The guide-rod 35 has applied thereto the collar 345 that is connected with the separator-rail 21.

Figs. 28 and 29, Sheet 6, are similar views which show a modification in which a guiderod 36 projects upwardly from a bracket 361 on the lifting-rod 13, the said bracket being secured in desired position on the lifting-rod by means of a clamping screw 362, and the guide-rod 36 having applied thereto the collar 345 that is connected with the separatorrail 21. In this modification the extent of the movement of the collar 345 upon the guiderod is much less than in Figs. 24, 25, 26, and 27, in consequence of the fact that the collar and guide-rod move simultaneously in the same directions during the rise and fall of the separator-rail and ring-rail in the operation of the machine. The movement of the collar upon the guide-rod in Figs. 28 and 29 is equal in extent to the difference between the vertical traverse of the lifting-rod 13 and ring-rail and that of the rod 22 and separatorrail.

In the case of the modifications shown in Figs. 24 to 29 as many of the guiding and restraining devices will be employed on one side of a ring-frame as it may be necessary to use in order to prevent the horizontal springing or vibration of the separator-rail.

The directive devices hereinbefore described may be variously applied to one and ICC thesame machine, as may be deemed advisable, more than one form or modificatiOn thereof being employed in a single ring-frame if considered advisable and necessary. However, although in practice a rod 22 will be employed in connection with probably each cross-shaft arm 16 in a ring-frame, the number of directive devices employed in connection with each separator-rail will be only such as is required for the purposes of keeping the separator-rail steady, or without horizontal springing or vibration, and of causing the same to move in a proper path.

The blades of all the separators carried by a separator-rail project to one side of the separator-rail. This occasions a quite considerable preponderance of weight on such side, and tends to bear or tilt the separatorrail and its rods 22 outwardly from the machine, creating pressure and friction on the sides of the restraining and directing guides when the latter are on the order of those hereinbefore presented. This pressure and friction are prevented from occurring in the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Fig. 30, Sheet 7, which is a View in vertical section showing certain features of my invention applied to certain parts of a ringframe, andin Fig. 31, which is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 30, with the rollerbeams shown in dotted ]ines. In these figures, a clamp 37, fixed to each rod 22 at, or very near to, the upper'end thereof, has connected thereto, one end of a radius-rod 372, which latter has its other end jointed to an arm or bracket 376 fixed, by a bolt 374: and nut 375, to the roller-beam 1 on the opposite side of the machine. This radius-rod 372 may be a slender wire or tierod, in which case it wholly overcomes the tendency of the preponderating weight to tilt the separatorrail and its red, 22, outwardly from the machine, but I prefer to use a stiff rod capable of performing the part of a strut as well as that of a tie-rod, in which case it prevents the separator-rail from having any undesired movement in either direction transversely of the machine. The distance from the separator-rail 21 and rod 22, on one side of the ring-frame, to the point of connection of the corresponding radius-rod'with the bracket 376 on the roller-beam 1, on the other side of the ring-frame, is so great that the are in which the outer end of the radius-rod moves as rod 22 rises and falls has a very slight curvature. The curvature, in fact, is so slight that the backward and forward movement of the separator-rail and separators, resulting therefrom, is not noticeable. Moreover, such movement is of no consequence, for it is in such direction that it does not lessen the efficiency of the separators, or interfere with the attainment of satisfactory results. When these radius'rods are used, it

is convenient to hold the separator-rail from movement endwise by causing its ends to slide in contact with smooth surfaces 38,

either on the end frames of the machine or on other parts suitably provided for the purpose. See the view in horizontal section presented in Fig. 32, Sheet 7. Other forms of guides or restraining devices maybe used, however, to prevent endwise movement of the separator-rails.

It is not necessary that all of the guiding and restraining devices employed in connection with the separator-rail on one side of the ring-frame should be duplicated for use in connection with the separator-rail on the other side. I contemplate connecting the moving parts of the separator-mechanism on one side of the ring-frame to the moving parts thereof on the other side of the ringframe, in such manner that the duplication of such devices may be made unnecessary in whole or in part. Thus, in Fig. 33, Sheet 7, which is a View in vertical section of one modification of my invention, and in Fig. 34, which is a view in plan of the main features thereof, the roller-beams being omitted, only one radius-rod 372 is used, it connecting with a rod 22 pertaining to the separator-rail 21 on one side of the ring-frame, only. The said rod 22 is connected with the corresponding rod 22 of the separator-rail on the other side of the ring-frame by a tie-rod, or crossrod, 39, each end of the latter being connected to a clamp, 37 on the corresponding rod 22. By this means, the tendency of the second separator-rail to fall outward in consequence of the preponderating weight of the projecting blades of its separators is overcome, and, whenever the cross-rod 39, is, as is sometimes the case, made sufficiently stiff to act as a strut as well as a tie, the separator-rail is prevented by it from moving toward the middle of the machine. In addition, a very important result is secured by the use of the crossrod 39; it compels the force which acts to tilt each separator-rail outwardly on its side of the ring-frame'to act, in the cross-rod 39, in opposition to the corresponding force which acts to tilt the other separator-railoutwardly on the other side of the ring-frame. The two forces balance each other within the crossrod 39, and thus practically are neutralized, so that there is no longer any great tendency of either of the separator-rails to move outwardly in consequence of the preponderating weight of its separator-blades. The use of the cross-rod 39 is of particular benefit in those constructions in which are employed guides on the order of the various forms of guides that are shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 8 to 29, for, by relieving the said guides from the outwardly exerted pressure due to the weight of the separator-rails and the moving parts connected therewith, the friction, and also the wear of the said guides, are diminished.

Fig. 35, Sheet 8, is a view in vertical section on the line 3535 in Fig. 1, illustrating the use of a tie-rod or cross-rod 39 in connec: tion with the form of guide illustrated in Figs. 3, t, and 8 to 17.

ITO

Fig. 36, Sheet 8, is a view in vertical section on line 36-36 in Fig. 1, and illustrates the use of the tie-rod, or cross-rod, for uniting and balancing purposes in connection with a pair of opposite rods 22 which, at the point in the length of the ring-frame at which the section is taken, are without any restraining or holding devices applied thereto other than the tie-rod or cross-rod, just mentioned, and the separator-rails themselves, which latter have some of the described guides or restraining devices applied elsewhere.

In Figs. 33, 34, 35 and 36, the tie-rod or cross-rod is connected to the rods 22, 22, or,

more exactly, to clamps 37, 37, on said rods.

In Figs. 36 and 36 I have shown how the.

tie-rod or cross-rod may connect directly with the separator-rails. In these latter figures each end of the cross-rod is bentnpward and terminates in a socket 3921 in which is received thecorrespondingseparator-rail. The socket 3921 is shown provided With a removable cap 3922 held in place by screws, 3923, 3923, whereby the separator-rail is retained in the socket. Preferably, this socket, 3921, is applied to he corresponding separator-rail at a point alongside the socket at the upper end of a rod 22, the said sockets being held together and in place upon the separator-rail by collars-211 and 212, one of which collars may be the collar or hub of a separator,'which are placed on opposite sides of the sockets and fixed to the separator-rail. In this construction the cross-rod is made sufficiently stiff to enable it to serve as a strut as well as a tie-rod.

- In Fig. 37, Sheet 5, which is a View in vertical section of parts of a ring-frame having applied thereto another modification of my invention, and Fig. 38, Sheet 5, which is a view in horizontal section on line 38-38 in Fig. 37, I have shown a construction in which the cross-rod 39 is transformed into a light trussed frame 40, the said frame consisting of the wires or rods 401, 401, which are connected at their ends with the clamps 402, 402, applied to the opposite rods 22, a middle separating piece or strut 403, and other pieces 404, 404, at points intermediate the middle and the ends of the trussed frame. On opposite faces of the strut 403 are provided the pins or rollers 405, 405, which pass into slots 406, 406,that are formed in depending extensions 407, 407, of a bracket 408 held by bolts 409 and nuts 410 to a horizontal portion of the upper frame-work of the ring-frame. The strut 403 slides up and down between the extensions 407, 407, which latter may operate to prevent endwise movement of the separatorrail, while the sides of the slots 406, 406, engage with the pins or rollers 405, 405, to prevent horizontal or lateral movement of the separator-rails. In this case, the truss 40 acts as a tie-rod, as a strut, and as a girder, resisting the bending stress which results from the friction of the pins or rollers 405, 405, in the slots 406, 406.

From the showing in Figs. 37 and 38 will be obvious the general manner in which the cross-rods, or their equivalents, when made sufficiently stiff, may have applied thereto the guides or directive devices whereby the proper paths of movement of the separator-rails and separators may be secured.

A convenient means of connecting the ends of the radius-rods and cross-rods with the rods, 22, is represented in detail in Figs. 35, 35, and 35 on Sheet 8. Fig. 35 is aview in horizontal section on line 3535 of Fig. 35". Fig. 35 is a View in rear elevation, with the cross-bar, rod, or wire in section. Fig. 35 is a view in side elevation with one clamp-section removed. In these views I have represented the said connecting means as serving to connect one end of a tie-rod or cross-rod, 39, with a rod, 22. Figs. 2, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, and 38 show various applications thereof. The said connecting means consists essentially of a separable clamp, 37, which engages the rod, 22, and one endof the tie-rod or cross-rod. In Figs. 35, 35, and 35, the two halves or sections of the clamp are shown at 3711, 3711. Each of the said halves or sec tions is formed with a concave portion, 3712, at one end thereof, to fit upon and partly surroundtherod,22. Attheotherenditisformed with a lateral flange orlip, 3713, having therein a semi-cylindrical notch, 3714, formed to fit and receive part of the rod, 39. The end of the said rod is, preferably, formed with an eye or loop, 3911. Holes, 3715, 3715, are formed in the halves or sections, 3711, 3711, for the reception of the stem of a bolt, 3716, which receives upon its threaded end the nut, 3717. Washers, 3718, 3718, are placed between the head of the bolt and the adjacent clamp section, and under the nut, 3717. When the parts have been assembled, the clamp-sections, 3711, 3711, fit against opposite sides of the rod, 22, the eye or loop of the rod lies between the intermediate or parallel portions, 3719, 3719, of said sections, the straight portion of said rod fits the notches, 3714,3714, and the bolt passes through the holes, 3715, 3715, and the eye or loop of the rod, 39. By turning up the nut, the halves or sections, 3711, 3711, are caused to clamp the rods 22 and 39. Preferably, the holes,3715,37l5, are

formed as elongated slots, as clearly shown,

in order to permit of adjustment. This enables the distance apart of the rods, 22, 22, to be adjusted by varying the position of the bolt in the said holes or slots in one or both clamps. Sometimes, I dispense with the eye or loop, 39, and depend wholly upon the pinching of the rods 22 and 39 by means of the said clamp as shown in Fig.35. The resulting friction is sufficient to cause the. rods 22 and 39 to remain in their proper relative positions, when the parts are proportioned with this end in view.

In Fig. 39, Sheet 6, which is a view in Vertical section of parts of a ring-frame having applied thereto another modification of my invention, and Fig. 40, Sheet 6, which is a View in plan, partly in horizontal section on line 4040 of Fig. 39, I have shown a construction in which the cross-rod, 39, has pivoted to its middle point a rocking lever, 41, having pivoted to its opposite ends the inner ends of the links 411 and 412, the former of which is pivoted at its outer end to an earon a bracket, 413, held by bolts, 414, washers, 414, and nuts, 415, to the vertical flange of the roller-beam on one side of the ring-frame, while the outer end of the other link, 412, is pivoted to an ear on an arm or bracket, 416, held by screws, 417, to the spindle-rail, 11. In this modification, as the cross-shaft arms, 16, 16, and connecting-rods, 22, 22, rise and fall, in unison, on the opposite sides of the ring'frame, and as the cross-rod, 39, is moved up and down therewith, the said cross-rod carries with it the rocker or rocking lever, 41. sitely acting links, 411 and 412, in tilting the rocker or rocking lever first in one direction and then in the other as the said rocker ascends and descends, will compel its pivotal point to move up and downin a straight vertical line as will be understood, and thus prevents the rods, 22, 22, and separator-rails, 21, 21, from moving to the right or left in Figs. 39 and 40.

Figs. 41 and 42, Sheet 6, show how a similar restraining device may be applied to a cross-rod, 39, for the purpose of preventing the separator-rails from moving endwise in the ring-frame. In these figures, the rocker, 41, is pivoted between ears projecting from a collar 393 mounted on the cross-rod, 39, and secured in place thereon by a clamping screw 394.

In constructions employing a cross-rod, 39, which has the functions of a tie-rod, of a strut, and of a girder, and which is rigidly connected with the upper ends of the rods, 22, 22, a second cross-rod, 42, Fig. 39, may be similarly connected with each pair of opposite rods, 22, 22, near the lower ends thereof and adjacent to the points at which the rods, 22,22, are connected with the cross-shaft arms, 16, 16. The two rods, 22, 22, which are thus rigidly connected with each other and with an upper cross-rod, 39, and a lower cross-rod, 42, become parts of a light rectangular frame of considerable stiffness and stability which rises and falls as the cross-shaft arms swing up and down.

Each cross-rod, 39 and 42, may be in two parts or lengths which are united by a turnbuckle, consisting of a swivel-nut, 421, whereby the length of each tie-rod may be adjusted, lock-nuts, 422, 422, being located at the ends of the swivel-nuts, 421, to preserve the adjustment. I consider it better, however, to adjust the distances apart of the rods, 22, 22, at their upper and lower ends, and the angles which the rods, 22, 22, make with the cross-bars, 39 and 42, by means of the sockets, 43, 43, 43, 43, shown in Figs. 39, 43, and 44, Sheet 6. p v

The compensating effect of the oppo- In Fig. 43, I have shown by a view in vertical section one of these sockets, 43, 43, 43, 43, and in Fig. 44, I have shown in plan the parts represented in Fig. 43. Each socket, 43, has a vertical portion, 431, having a laterally widened hole, 4312, vertically there through, through which hole the rod, 22, passes, and a laterally projecting nipple, 432, in which is secured the end of the cross-bar, rod, or wire, 39 or 42. Adj Listing-screws, 433, 433, 433, pass through the wall of the portion, 431, and take bearing against the surface of the rod, 22, thereby securing the socket, 43, in place on the rod, 22. Two of the adjusting-screws, 433, 433, are situated at the opposite ends of the socket, and on one side of the latter, while the third adjusting-screw, 433, is situated at an intermediate point, and on the opposite side of the socket. By means of these oppositely-acting adjusting-screws, a delicate adjustment of the rods, 22, 22, laterally, and of the angles which they make with the cross'rods, 39 and 42, may be secured.

When an ordinary ring-spinning frame having the separator-mechanism operated from the cross-shaft arm is altered so as to adapt it to the use of bobbins of a length different from those which have been used thereon, a compensating adjustment in the separator-mechanism is required, in consequence of the change that is made in the height of the cross-shaft. This change is incident to the adjustment, vertically, of the spindle-rail, which is effected for the purpose of bringing the tips of the bobbins at the requisite distance from the thread-guides, it being customary to adjust each spindle-rail, 11, of a ring-spinning frame, at the time of each change in the length of the bobbins, to such a height in the frame as that when the bobbins, 6, 6, are applied to the spindles, 10, 10, the tips of the bobbins shall be at the same fixed distance below the thread-guides, 4, 4, regardless of the length of the bobbins.

Heretofore it has been usual to have the spindle-rail, 11, and guide-rail, 12, connected together by intermediate vertical pieces, the two rails 11 and 12, with the intermediate connecting pieces making up what is ordinarily known as the ladder, and it also has been usual to hang the cross-shaft to the lower side of the guide-rail, 12, by means of the bracket or hanger, 19, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, Sheet 2, the whole of the ladder being moved upward when shorter bobbins are substituted for longer ones, or downward when longer bobbins are substituted for shorter ones, and the ladder carrying the cross-shaft with it in each case.

It is customary to have the mechanism which actuates the cross-shaft and its arm to raise and lower the ring-rail so arranged as that the upper limit of the movement of the stud, 15, or of the stud and its roller, 151, shall be at the same fixed point, and. hence that the upper limit of the traverse of the ring-rail shall be at the same fixed distance 

